Boulder Outreach for Homeless Overflow sees greater need

Identifying adequate shelter is an increasing challenge

By Mitchell Byars Camera Staff Writer

Posted:
12/20/2012 05:13:21 PM MST

Updated:
12/20/2012 05:38:05 PM MST

If you go

What: Homeless Memorial Day

When: 10 a.m. Friday

Where: Central Park Bandshell

Many of Boulder's homeless are having an especially hard time finding a place to stay this holiday season, as the Boulder Outreach for Homeless Overflow is reporting seeing an increase in the number of people looking for shelter this winter.

BOHO finds and coordinates shelters for Boulder transients unable to get a bed at the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless. For the first time since opening in 2009, BOHO has counted the number of unique visitors -- not just how many people were sheltered on a given night -- and found it has already sheltered over 500 unique people on the 23 nights this fall BOHO has been needed.

"It's eye-opening to us," said Nancy Brinks, the board chairwoman of BOHO. She said in talking with other agencies that have served Boulder County's homeless, they have all reported seeing increases in the number of people needing shelter this year.

"I suspect it is in a great degree due to the economy," Brinks said. "For a long time we've had people in the margins of society, and now we are seeing an increasing amount of people falling through the margins."

As a result, Brinks said BOHO has increased the number of people on staff to 10. All of the staff members are, themselves, either homeless or formerly homeless, and work to set up and clean the facilities BOHO houses people in.

"We are very pleased to be able to offer jobs to people who themselves are struggling to make ends meet," Brinks said.

But even though BOHO has the staff to handle the increase, Brinks said the difficult task will be finding enough space to house all the homeless needing shelter. BOHO works with several faith communities that open up their churches and facilities to the homeless, but Brinks said those are beginning to see crowding.

"We will do everything we can to find the space," she said. "We are in constant conversation with churches about finding more facilities."

But it continues to be an uphill battle, as Brinks said the numbers so far indicate the number of homeless needing shelter could continue to climb throughout the holiday season.

"I don't see any reason for us to think it will change, unfortunately," Brinks said. "Our goal is of course to ensure we are offering a safe space to as many people as we possibly can and offer a warm and dry place to spend the night."